Summer 2008 Program Opportunities

UVa CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL   

University Hospital:  Pre-School Classroom & Bedside Visiting        

  • Help staff lead educational and play activities for children. In addition to group activities, volunteers may be asked to make bedside visits to read a story or play a game.
  • Spend time with children in outpatient clinics as they await weekly treatments and checkups, including chemotherapy. Volunteers help make the wait pleasant with games, books etc.

Primary Care Center, Pediatrics Clinic:  Bookworms

  • Reading aloud with young patients and their siblings in the Pediatric Clinic waiting room. Volunteers model book-sharing techniques for parents, showing them by example that reading aloud is fun for adults and children, and demonstrating ways to make it work.

Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center: Bedside Visiting & Swimming Assistant    

  • Part of the UVA Children's Hospital, KCRC provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for children, both inpatients and outpatients.
  • Volunteer options include working with children in therapeutic aquatic activities; volunteers must demonstrate strong swimming skills.
  • Evening and weekend volunteers spend their time making bedside visits to pediatric patients and their families to read a story, play a game, or just visit.

Emergency Department

Emergency Clinic:  Assist staff and patients in this fast-paced unit within the E.D.: Stock supplies in several areas of the clinic; some patient companionship once patients are stable; some errands if asked by staff.
Hours:  Daily shifts, Morning, Afternoon or Evening Hours

Patient Representative:  Volunteers staff the waiting room in the ED, tracking patients' progress; facilitating communication with medical staff, directing families and patients to hospital and community resources, and offering support as families await news of their loved ones.  This is a busy location suitable for high-energy volunteers.
Hours:  Daily, 3 hour shift, between 10:00 A.M. and 1:00 A.M.


Various Locations at University Hospital

BABY PHOTO ASSISTANT:  Visit new moms and assist vendor representative to take baby's first photo.  This is a happy job with lots of patient contact.
Hours:  Ask about open shifts

FAMILY LOUNGE, Medical Center, "Early Birds":  The Family Lounge serves families and friends whose loved-ones are having surgery.  Early morning volunteers assist with the busy "first cases," by escorting patients up to the Surgical Admissions Suite, and helping them prepare for the OR.
Hours:  Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday; 5:45 A.M.-8:45 A.M.

UVa OUTPATIENT SURGERY CENTER SURGICAL FAMILY LOUNGE:  This Family Lounge serves patients who are having same-day surgery and their families.  Volunteers follow patients' progress and facilitate communication with medical staff.
Hours:  Monday-Friday; 9:00 AM - Noon; Noon-3:00 PM

HOSPITALITY HOUSE:  This home away from home for outpatients, family and friends of patients will be moving to a new facility in June.  Join the excitement as we double in size!
Hours:  negotiable daytime shifts

VOLUNTEER SERVICES:  Volunteers assist with "desk duty" at the Volunteer Office, greeting volunteers and other visitors, answering the phone and running errands all over the hospital. 
Hours:  Monday & Tuesday afternoons, Friday mornings.

Join our team of volunteers!  It's a great way to make your summer special.  We'd love to have you, and hope you'll call, Volunteer Services, 924-5251; or email one of us.